Surrounded by the devastation of bombed-out buildings supported by wooden
props, this street market nevertheless continues to provide service and enjoys
a flourishing trade. The artist was clearly making the point that 'life must go
on' and thereby was both supporting and celebrating the morale and
resilience of the civilian population. Quite how the strict rationing of furnishing
or dress fabrics would have worked in these circumstances it is difficult to say,
and maybe 'deals' were to be had in this type of market that could not be
found in formally regulated shops. But life had to go on, and a bargain is still
a bargain.